UK SFO arrests three in £3m Microsoft data center bribery probe

British authorities have launched an international bribery investigation centered on the construction of a Microsoft data center in the Netherlands, resulting in the arrest of three individuals and the search of five properties across the UK and Monaco. The UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) suspects that members of the construction firm Blu-3 paid more than £3 million in bribes to former associates of Mace Group in connection with the project. Over 70 SFO staff participated in the operation, which is supported by the National Crime Agency. SFO director Nick Ephgrave emphasized that bribery undermines financial markets and the rule of law, pledging rapid and robust action against corruption both domestically and abroad. Microsoft and Blu-3 have not yet commented, while Mace has stated it will cooperate fully with the investigation. The case highlights concerns about corruption in the rapidly growing data center sector, which is driven by increasing demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence.